Strike may disrupt golf

2003-11-16 22:27

Nelia Richter

George - A strike that has been looming at Fancourt, host of the largest golf tournament in Africa, may start a day before the official opening of the Presidents Cup tournament on Thursday.

About 180 members of the Independent Commercial Hospitality Allied Workers Union (Ichawu) - employed mostly as green keepers and catering staff at Fancourt - will vote on a possible strike at 13:00 on Monday.

Abel Mapolisa of Ichawu said the workers would go on strike on Wednesday if they voted in favour of the labour action.

Kwakye Donkor, marketing director of Fancourt, said on Sunday that the golf estate had not received notice of a strike.

Ichawu said workers were unhappy about alleged unilateral changes to their job circumstances and a new grading system that was introduced.

Mapolisa said Fancourt management wanted to address these problems once the Presidents Cup was over.

"Management told the union that we would be embarrassing South Africa. Nobody wants to embarrass South Africa, but you can't run away from problems in your own backyard."

Donkor said, however, that the employees were highly motivated and excited about taking part in the Presidents Cup.

"I doubt whether they would be involved in this process."

- Die Burger